Jewish Insights with Justin Pines

The Deeper Meaning of Sukkot: Shmuly Yanklowitz on Joy, Humility and Responsibility

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz joins Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the lessons of Sukkot, the call to justice, and the future of Jewish life. Discover how joy, humility, and activism intersect in Jewish tradition today. Rabbi Yanklowitz is President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, founder of Uri L’Tzedek, Shamayim, and YATOM, and the author of 30 books on Jewish ethics.

The “Soldier’s Rabbi”: Putting Torah and Faith into Action with Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon

In this special Yom Kippur episode, Justin is joined Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, Chief Rabbi of Gush Etzion, President of the World Mizrachi Movement, and one of the most transformative rabbinic visionaries of our time to discuss the value and impact of Torah, his approach to social change for Israel’s most vulnerable communities, his role in supporting IDF soldiers, and his faith-based approach to navigating tragedies like October 7.
Learn more:
https://www.sulamot.org/en/
https://www.sulamot.org/en/kuma/
https://www.laofek.org/en/laofek/
 

Sarah Hurwitz: Reclaiming the Jewish Soul from Antisemitism’s Grip

In this special Rosh Hashanah episode, former White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz joins Justin to discuss her bold new book "As a Jew." Together they explore how antisemitism has shaped Jewish identity—and how we can break free of its grip to uncover the divine light within, reclaiming the fullness of what it means to live as a Jew today.

Rabbi Sacks, Torah, and Interpretation with Dr. Erica Brown

What does it mean to interpret Torah in today’s world? On the occasion of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ fifth yahrzeit, Justin sits down with Dr. Erica Brown to explore the legacy of Rabbi Sacks and the launch of the Magerman Edition Koren Shalem Humash, featuring his new Torah translation and commentary.
Dr. Brown — scholar, author, and Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University — studied under Rabbi Sacks and leads the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership. 
Together, they discuss:
Rabbi Sacks’ unique voice as an interpreter of Torah
The vision behind this new Humash
The enduring lessons of Rabbi Sacks for Jewish life and thought today
The role of commentary and interpretation today
This special live conversation took place at Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood, NJ, as part of the event “A Conversation on Interpretation: Rabbi Sacks’ new Torah commentary.”
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TEXTing In Real Life with Elana Stein Hain

Justin is joined by Elana Stein Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash and Senior Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, in anticipation of the JBS premiere of TEXTing, her popular series that addresses issues of our day through the lens of classical Jewish texts.

The Power of Reading with Your Children with Ilana Kurshan

Ilana Kurshan, award-winning author of the memoir "If All the Seas Were Ink," joins Justin to discuss her next book, "Children of the Book: A Memoir of Reading Together," which explores her experience of reading Jewish and secular books with her children, and the cumulative impact on her and her family. You can learn more at ilanakurshan.com

Jewish Leadership of Generosity with Elie Weinstock

What are the different models of Jewish leadership? How do leaders activate other leaders in their community while still leading their community? Rabbi Elie Weinstock joins Justin to discuss his style of leadership through generosity of spirit. Rabbi Elie Weinstock is Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach on Long Island, serves as a Nassau County Police Department Chaplain and is Immediate Past President of the New York Board of Rabbis.

Tu B’Av and Jewish Love with Gila Fine

Why is Tu B’Av—just six days after Tisha B’Av—one of the happiest days in the Jewish calendar?
What do white dresses, vineyard dances, and ancient tribal unity have to teach us today?
Gila Fine, award-winning author of The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic, returns to to Jewish Insights with Justin Pines to explore the mysterious holiday of Tu B’Av. With her signature depth, clarity, and soul, Gila unpacks the surprising origins of Tu B’Av in the Torah, its connection to romantic and spiritual love, and its powerful message for our understanding of love today.
You can learn more about Gila Fine at https://gilafine.com/
 
*** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! *** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!

Tisha B’Av with JJ Schacter

Why do we still mourn the destruction of the Temple thousands of years later? What does Tisha B’Av mean for Jews today—and how can this day of national sorrow inspire healing and hope?
In this special Tisha B’Av episode of Jewish Insights, Justin Pines is joined by historian and teacher Rabbi Dr. J.J. Schacter for a powerful conversation about Jewish suffering, memory, and resilience. From the destruction of the Temples to the Holocaust to October 7th, Rabbi Schacter helps us understand why remembering is essential—and how even in our darkest moments, there is a spark of redemption.
You can watch Rabbi Schacter’s full Tisha B’Av teachings at https://www.yutorah.org/tishabav
You can learn more about Operation Benjamin at https://www.operationbenjamin.org/
 
*** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! *** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!

All of Jewish History in 2 Hours with Ken Spiro (Part 2: From Destruction to Destiny)

After the Second Temple’s destruction, how did the Jewish people not only survive—but shape world history? In Part II of this epic journey through Jewish history, Rabbi Ken Spiro joins Justin to explore 2,000 years of exile, persecution, and perseverance—from Rome to the Enlightenment, from Inquisition to Zionism. A gripping look at how Jewish continuity defied the odds—and set the stage for a modern miracle, and a future unfolding.
Rabbi Ken Spiro is Senior Lecturer and Researcher for Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem, a licensed tour guide in Israel, and the author of several books, including Crash Course in Jewish History: From Abraham to Modern Israel. You can learn more at https://kenspiro.com/
 
*** JBS is a non-profit, Jewish educational television and multimedia channel made possible by VIEWERS LIKE YOU! *** Discover more JBS @ https://jbstv.org Please help us sustain our programming by visiting: https://jbstv.org/jbs-donation-form Find JBS on your TV Provider, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku by visiting: https://jbstv.org/find-us Watch Live on our website: https://jbstv.org/watch-live Download the JBS App or listen on the go wherever you get your Podcasts!